Using a stainless steel sauce pan, mix the cornstarch and sugar together. Add the grapefruit juice and zest. Bring to a simmer.

In a small mixing bowl, whip the egg and egg yolks. Slowly add the cooked grapefruit-sugar mix while whipping to temper the eggs (do not cook to scramble.) Add the two ingredients together; remove from the stove and finish with the butter. Cover and chill.

For service, place 2 tablespoons of the curd onto a plate. Top with the quartered banana and sprinkle with Sugar in the Raw on top. Using a flame torch, burn the sugar until completely dark and slightly smoking. Garnish with seasonal berries, grapefruit segments and bee pollen.

Throughout summer, savvy Southern California wine-lovers can avoid weekend crowds (and prices!) by taking advantage of fantastic Monday through Friday deals at many of our 35 member wineries. In addition to more elbow room in the tasting rooms and personal attention from winery staff, visiting Temecula Valley mid-week benefits your wallet and means you can afford to take the experience home with you by stocking up on great Temecula wines!

Looking for amazing 2 for 1 coupons and discounts to the best Temecula Valley wineries? Visit our special offers page which offers the best Monday-Friday deals in wine country every month!

This VIP tasting experience is available to reserve beginning August 1. Thursday through Sunday, anytime between 11a-4p. Taste 5 red library wines from past vintages; bottles available for purchase. $20-$30 pp for groups of 12 or less. By Reservation Only – please call 951.972.9768.

Carol’s Restaurant at Baily Winery is offering 10% off lunch in wine country through August 31. One coupon per person, per winery, per day. Valid Mon-Fri only. Not Valid on holidays or special events. Expires 08-31-13. Download the coupon here.

Cafe Champagne At Thornton Winery is offering 10% off lunch in wine country through August 31. One coupon per person, per winery, per day. Valid Sun-Fri only. Not valid on holidays or special events. Expires 08-31-13. Download the coupon here.

Check back next month for another round up of mid-week specials in Temecula Valley!

In honor of California Wine Month, we’ve rounded up this year’s best recipes and pairings from Temecula Valley Wine Country!

What is a Perfect Pairing?

Truth be told, there is no such thing as a “perfect” pairing! The old adage, “white wine with fish and red wine with meat” isn’t always a tried-and-true method of pairing wine. We say have fun with it and play with pairings to discover how different wines can bring out the subtle nuances of flavors in a food.

For those who aren’t as adventurous, we’ve paired up Temecula wines with some of our favorite wine country recipes provided by our member wineries.

We hope you enjoy creating these “perfectly” paired recipes in your own home, while popping the cork on one of our beautiful Temecula Valley wines.

Here are a few of our favorite gourmet recipes from Temecula Valley wineries perfectly paired with Temecula Valley wine —

Cocktails & Appetizers

Syrah Sunset Sangria

Ingredients

1 bottle Syrah

2 tsp finely shredded lime peel

1 cup lime juice

3/4 cup sugar Ice

chilled 1 nectarine, pitted and sliced

Directions – In a 1-quart glass measuring cup combine lime peel, lime juice, and sugar; add water to equal 4 cups. Stir to dissolve sugar. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. To serve, place ice in six 16-ounce glasses. Add 2/3 cup of the lime juice mixture to each glass. Pouring along side of glass, slowly add 1/2 cup wine. Thread nectarine slices on skewers and add to glasses.

Directions:
Melt butter in a large soup pan. Add onion and garlic and cook 1-2 minutes.
Add cubed butternut squash. Cook 1-2 minutes.
Cover with chicken stock. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 30-45 minutes or until squash is soft.
Blend soup, strain and then return to pot. Season with Thai curry paste and salt and pepper as needed.

Ponte Family Estate is well-loved for their delicious al fresco restaurant so we asked them for a great grill recipe for summer. Here’s an interesting twist on an American classic – the cheeseburger. And the best part about this burger recipe is it’s simplicity. This is an easy dish to prep and grill with the family for 4th of July weekend. Pair with a light white wine – and sparkling lemonade for the kids!